Duke Ellington is one of the great American composers, as well as jazz musicians and orchestra leaders. Duke began playing music professionally in Washington, DC, in 1917, and soon moved to New York where he led a group called "The Washingtonians". During this time, Sidney Bechet played briefly with the band. More significantly, the trumpet player Bubber Miley joined the group, bringing with him the unique plunger mute style of playing, which led to what became known as the "Jungle Sound" that was responsible for much of Duke's early success. This "jungle sound" was the basis for many of the dance numbers that Duke's orchestra played at the Cotton Club in the late 1920's and early 1930's.
In partnership with Billy Strayhorn, his nonpareil arranger, Duke wrote hundreds of pieces of music which can be roughly grouped into 4-5 broad categories, including:
1. Sacred music, which included both individual pieces (In The Beginning, God; Heaven; Father Forgive; David Danced; Come Sunday; Meditation) and lengthier compositions (such as "Black, Brown, and Beige", which is, in effect, a suite).
2. African-styled songs and dance numbers featuring the "jungle sound".
3. Popular songs (Satin Doll; Take The "A" Train; Caravan; Sophisticated Lady; Mood Indigo; "C" Jam Blues; Prelude to a Kiss; It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing; Things Ain't What They Used To Be; etc.)
4. Suites (Liberian Suite; Deep South Suite; Far East
Suite; The River).
Duke wrote much of his music for specific members of the orchestras that he led over a five-decade period, so there were tunes he composed for players such as Bubber Miley and Cat Anderson (trumpet), Paul Gonsalves and Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Ben Webster (tenor sax), Harry Carney (baritone sax); Jimmy Blanton (bass), etc.
I am answering your post from work, and will submit a much more comprehensive answer later this evening regarding some of the best recordings. In the meantime, here are a few that are well worth owning:
1. From the 1940-43 period:
a) "The Blanton/Webster Band", a 3-CD set on RCA
Bluebird. These are studio recordings by the band
that many regard as the greatest of all Duke's groups.
b) "Live At Fargo (North Dakota)", November 1940, a 2-CD
set on Vintage Jazz Classics
2. From the 1950's:
a) "Such Sweet Thunder", on Columbia
b) "At Newport, 1956", on Columbia (a new, very good
stereo version has recently been released)
c) "Black, Brown, and Beige", on Columbia, featuring the
phenomenal voice of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
3. From the 1960's:
a) "And His Mother Called Him Bill"
b) "Money Jungle" (trio recording), Blue Note Records
c) "First Time! The Count Meets The Duke", Columbia --
features the Count Basie Band with the full Ellington
orchestra
4. From the 1970's:
a) "This One's For Blanton", Pablo Records, a duo with
Ray Brown.
Last, there is a 5-CD set of Duke's recordings on the LaserLight label. Although this is a budget label, the sound quality of the CD's is good, and the price of the set makes it a good way to hear a wide selection of Duke's music. (As I said above, I'll add to this list in my post later this evening.)
If you are interested in seeing Duke Ellington on film, he appeared in a number of productions as band leader:
1. Black and Tan Fantasy - 1929
2. Check and Double Check - 1930
3. A Bundle of Blues - 1933
4. Murder of the Vanities - 1934
5. Hot Chocolate - 1941
6. Cabin in the Sky - 1943 (produced by Vincent Minelli, who
was married to Judy Garland -- their daughter is Liza
Minelli).
7. Date With Duke - 1947
8. Anatomy of a Murder - 1959 (directed by Otto Preminger).
Many jazz experts and music critics regard Duke as one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century. Although his music may not be classified as "classical" in the same context as the work of Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, etc., there is no doubt that Duke contributed an extraordinary body of sophisticated music that is classical in the sense it is enduring and adheres to established compositional standards. I encourage all who are interested in jazz, or simply in American music, to listen widely to Duke's body of work.
More later this evening......
